Fake political ad raises real money

Jul. 16, 2014
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by Shannon Rae Green, USAToday

by Shannon Rae Green, USAToday

Gil Fulbright is a fake political candidate, appearing in a brutally honest (and hilarious) viral video. Watch it in the video above. Actor Frank Ridley plays the character of a money-hungry politician, who lets the public know in his ad that the issues don't matter, as long as he can get re-elected.

The "campaign" is raising real money, even though Gil Fulbright's name won't appear on any ballot. Represent.Us, a non-profit organization, is sending this character to campaign events in Kentucky to bring a message to the public: Limit the influence of money in politics.

The organization has predicted the Kentucky Senate race between Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes will be the most expensive in the country, projected to cost $100 million.

Represent.Us has raised more than $25,000 on crowd-funding site indiegogo to send Fulbright on a bus tour. The group's director, Josh Silver, said satire is powerful for grabbing people's attention. "The popularity of Gil reflects an American public who are really tired of being lied to and let down," he said. "They really just want to hear the truth, even if it's Gil Fulbright saying, 'I'm going to sell you out for my donors.'"